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09/14/2016 08:30 AMWhether he was mentoring co-workers, coaching Little League or sharing simple acts of kindness every day, Dave Ricciardi was the kind of guy who loved to help others.
Now, his family and friends are working to continue that legacy, with a focus on assisting local young athletes and artists, by providing financial support for equipment or other needs, through Dave’s Dream Foundation.
On Saturday, Oct. 15, Dave’s wife, Margaret, invites the public to come out and enjoy the first annual Dave’s Dream Oktoberfest at Silver Sands Beach Club. The fundraising event seeks to raise $10,000 to continue giving back to the community in Dave’s name.
Margaret describes her husband as a “Type A” guy who loved to stay fit, but Dave had some heart health issues, which needed medical attention beginning at age 50. In 2013, at 55, just a few days after recovering from successful heart surgery, Dave suffered an irreversible setback that left him in a twilight state. After years of compassionate care, Dave passed away in August 2015.
The Ricciardi family, with the support of friends, established Dave’s Dream Foundation shortly thereafter.
“The first thing that came to mind was that he had coached youth soccer, basketball, baseball, and softball in town for 10 years. Every sport our three kids did, he was involved,” says Margaret. “So we decided to open the foundation to raise funds for kids who need money for sports—and I added the artistic part, so we can also reach out to kids who may not be involved in sports.”
By October 2015, Dave’s Dream offered its first matching grant to Branford Youth Football. In four month’s time, the foundation matched $7,500 raised by the league to bring in the $15,000 needed to purchase new jerseys for players. Dave’s Dream also gave $1,000 to support Feed Branford Kids.
As a youth, Dave was the kind of kid who “leads by example,” Margaret says.
“His friends made a scholarship in his name at Hamden Hall that goes to someone who leads by example. He was captain of the football, basketball and baseball team,” she explains. “Even though he was not as gifted as some of them, he worked hard.”
Dave’s hard work paid off when he made the Villanova basketball team as a walk on. What he loved most, however, was giving to others, says Margaret.
“He was just a giving guy, from the day I met him,” says Margaret. “His favorite movie was It’s a Wonderful Life, and I always knew he thought he was George Bailey.”
The character in the Frank Capra classic, played by James Stewart, spent his life giving to the people in his small town.
“That George Bailey dream of being anonymous; Dave was like that. He wouldn’t want anyone to know what he was doing for others. He didn’t want glory, he just wanted to quietly do things,” says Margaret.
The Ricciardis met in Branford, where Dave summered as a kid, and married in 1987. They raised their three children, Kelly, Colleen and Kevin, in town.
Like Dave, a corporate tax accountant for United Illuminating, all three children have gone into or are studying accounting. Margaret, who recently retired after 37 years as a nurse at Yale-New Haven Hospital, says she has Dave and their kids’ involvement in Branford youth sports to thank for the large contingent of dear friends who remain so supportive to this day.
“It’s such a great community,” says Margaret. “I’ve made so many friends. We all started out from kids’ sports—that’s really how we met everybody, through our kids.”
Now, many of those friends are rallying to help Dave’s Dream’s first annual Oktoberfest, by generating ticket sales and seeking donations of raffle prizes and Silent Auction items. Tickets are on sale now at www.davesdreamfoundation.org, and anyone who would like to donate a raffle prize or auction item is encouraged to contact the foundation through the website, as well.
Tickets, $50 per person or $35 for guests aged 21 to 29, include two drink tickets (featuring a variety of beer from Branford breweries and wine) with catering provided by Texas Roadhouse and live music.
“I always loved Oktoberfest, and I don’t know why no one has them any more around here, its fun! And to have one at Silver Sands Beach Club—what a beautiful place,” says Margaret, adding, “To me, October is the favorite month. Our anniversary is Oct. 17. We’ll probably try to hold Dave’s Dream Oktoberfest in the second week of October, going forward.”
As she and her family move forward in life without Dave at their side, Margaret says they find solace and even joy in helping others in his name.
“In order to live a long and happy life and enjoy your grandchildren, you need to be able to accept loss. We’re going to lose a lot of friends and a lot of family,” says Margaret. “You have to live on for your future friends and family, and you have to be happy for them—and you have to be happy, and be an example of what to be.”
Dave’s Dream first annual Oktoberfest is Saturday, Oct. 15 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Silver Sands Beach & Tennis Club, 640 Silver Sands Road, East Haven. To purchase tickets, make a donation, or learn more about Dave’s Dream visit www.davesdreamfoundation.org or find Daves Dream Foundation on Facebook.